Many remember the top-rated sitcom, The Jeffersons, on which actor Sherman Hemsley portrayed thriving businessman George Jefferson. This man, though short-tempered, had a keen-enough entrepreneurial spirit to successfully run and operate seven dry cleaning stores. Though he does not possess the same temperament as Jefferson, Howard alum Sinclair Skinner reflects the same drive and ambition as his TV-land counterpart.
Skinner, a 1996 graduate of Howard University's School of Engineering, strives to uplift the Howard community by giving Washington, D.C. youth, and Howard University students, employment opportunities. Skinner also serves as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for Ward 1B of the District of Columbia. His business, Georgia Avenue Kleaners, offers a variety of services that makes a difference in the Howard community.
"There was no local cleaners offering many services to the community before Mr. Skinner opened his doors five years ago," said Julia Hooks, 60-year resident of D.C. and friend of the store. She explains that dry cleaning has changed, adding that things were not as expensive as they are now. Skinner offers a good service at an economic advantage that benefits all students. Long-time customer Kenneth Ward agrees.
"I am always pleased with the services and professionalism of the staff," Ward said. "I find that the employees are always African-American and beyond the cleaning of clothes there is always an intellectual conversation."
Mr. Skinner accredits Booker T. Washington with changing his politics on Black business.
"He was very progressive and believed that we should develop a trade," Skinner said.
Skinner also encourages young Blacks in the Howard community to make themselves useful and to be better examples. His advice to Blacks is to read books by Washington, such as "The New Negro" and Character Building.
"We appreciate Mr. Skinner and the employment opportunities," said sophomore allied health sciences major Chanel Coleman. Skinner also employs Howard University sophomore Tyren Gaines.
Howard University School of Business professors offer different advice than Skinner in reference to Blacks interested in becoming business owners. Department of Marketing Professor Richard Roundtree believes that blacks should be thoroughly prepared for the business world.
"The key to entrepreneurship is knowledge acquisition, a combination of formal education and street savvy," Roundtree said.
Department of Information Systems Professor Daniel Owunwanne also emphasizes the importance of becoming an educated businessperson.
"There is less competition in the education world than in the business world," Owunwanne said.
These are factors Roundtree and Owunwanne both encourage Blacks to think about before simply learning a trade and leaping into the world of business.
Destined to uplift and empower D.C. residents in the community, as ANC Commissioner for Ward 1B, Skinner is responsible for forwarding residential complaints, from noise violations to parking issues, to the city council or an administrative agency. Mr. Skinner has successfully maintained the position for nearly six years.
In addition to maintaining his ANC post, Skinner has also taken the time out to become educated on entrepreneurship and built a business that benefits Howard University and the surrounding community.
Georgia Avenue Kleaners offers dry cleaning, emergency cleaning, pre-paid laundry services, tuxedo rentals, tailoring, special catering for the deceased, and a student discount program at the two locations, 2626 Georgia Avenue, Northwest (located directly across from the School of Business) and 3106 Georgia Avenue, Northwest. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
